Travelodge Evolving Cities – Liverpool

As a Manchester dwelling lady, would you be totally shocked and disappointed that I have never managed to do a 45 minute train journey over to the ‘pool before yesterday? Isn’t that terrible? I’ve been working with Travelodge and their Evolving Cities campaign and I thought it was perfect timing to see just what Liverpool has to offer. The maritime town has a great heritage, culture and of course, fab people. I’m going to take you on a little tour around starting off with a good old fashioned restaurant review of Oh Me, Oh My which was recommended to me by my lovely Liverpudlian friend Su.

The train from Manchester Piccadilly runs to Liverpool Lime Street in around 44 minutes time, calling at just a handful of stops before reaching Liverpool. It’s so much easier to get to that I expected and Lime Street station opens out into the heart of Liverpool. Myself and Anna decided to head straight down to Albert Docks as not only had we booked a table for lunch at Oh Me, Oh My, but that’s where we decided that we wanted to spend our afternoon. It’s only a fifteen minute walk to the docks, walking through the main shopping area and through Liverpool One.

Oh Me Oh My is conveniently located on Water Street, opposite the Liver Building and it takes residence in the old Bank of West Africa. The grande yet unobtrusive exterior and stunning interior draw you in at once. A perfect secret space that offers a cafe style menu during the day before it transforms into a private event space of an evening. I am so glad that we booked to eat here, as by 1pm the tables were full of tea drinkers and prosecco sipping ladies. Usually, an Afternoon Tea menu is served however due to an event, the doors were closing earlier than usual, ready to prepare for it. I had already chosen what I wanted to eat before I even set foot in Oh Me, Oh My and proceeded to order a Halloumi and Falafel Salad with a side of Sweet Potato wedges with garlic mayo with a pot of Cherry Blossom tea to wash it down with.

The Cherry Blossom tea was simply divine. Light, yet with a vibrant cherry flavour that left me wanting more. I loved the tea pots that the tea was presented with and I would have loved to see a retro, vintage floral cup rather than just a plain white one. With the food being served, my salad arrived in a giant bowl, packed to the brim with leaves and tabouleh covered in a tahini dressing, whilst large slices of grilled halloumi and spiced falafel peeked through the salad. Fat wedges of roasted sweet potato finished off my meal, making my salad a lot more substantial. Cooked to perfection, with an attentive wait staff, Oh Me Oh My is definitely one to put on the bucket list for its beautiful vintage tearoom setting and 1950s surroundings.

The Albert Docks can be reached by passing by the side of the Liver Building where you are brought out to the area where you can take a trip across the Mersey, on the Mersey Ferry. For me, boats and ferries are best when they are looked at. I much prefer to travel by air! Along the Albert Docks are several museums, including the Museum of Liverpool and The Beatles musuem. It was packed when were there, and with it being Good Friday, it was full of tourists. We still managed to take a good look around before leaving. I really enjoyed taking in the waterfront, and the buildings that surrounded the Docks. The whole place is so full of history, I wish I had spent more time finding out a bit more about the buildings. We took a look around the Musuem of Liverpool which was really interesting and I learnt a few pieces of info that I didn’t know. I also love how the Liver Building was originally classed as a skyscraper when it was first built until 1961.

Before we left the Docks to head back home, we took a stroll around past the Tate and towards to Echo Arena and big wheel. I do like a browse round a museum and art gallery, so on my next visit, my first port of call will be the Tate. A short walk back into town and we found The MetQuarter filled with stand alone shops of some of my favourite brands such as Made.com and MAC. Both myself and Anna were exhausted by this time so we stopped for another pot of tea before we caught the train back to Manchester.

I do wish that I had given myself more time in Liverpool but what it has done has stirred up some interest in the area. I am going to come back alone next time and have a full on cultural day and learn a lot more about this cultural city that is right on my doorstep. Next time, I may even stay over in the Travelodge that is located at the Albert Docks.